I had the best time last night - met up with a group of friends, and we reconnected and laughed our heads off. Came home with a renewed spirit and a heart full of great memories. These women, Angie Staats, Sharon Board, Kim Drennen, Lydia Gibson and myself, have walked together in all the major events of my life. They were by my side when I went through a divorce; I was by their side when they lost their parent or went through a divorce; we were there for each other in childbirth; we were there for each other as we raised our children, through the good times and the bad, the tears and the laughter. When I look back on the adult years of my life, these women have been the ones to pray with me, to call me out if I was wrong, to show up when I so needed a friend.
They know my secrets, and I know theirs. They trust me, and I trust them. I don't have to be anyone other than myself with these women, because I believe they will love me even when I'm not likable. We have grown apart over the years, through attending different churches or just life circumstances of jobs and commitments leaving less time to be together, but it's those great friendships that don't keep a record of wrongs, don't monitor how much time you've spent with them to value the friendship, but the love stays strong through whatever distance gets in the way. While we were eating and talking, I brought up this article I had read about the true reason for drug addiction that I found very interesting - basically said it was about relationships and happiness in your life and whether you were fulfilled or not that made you want to do drugs or left you vunerable to being an addict. I couldn't remember where I'd read it, but I found it this morning. I'm torn on whether I believe this is the ticket or not and would love your opinion. I have been so blessed to have been raised with wonderful parents who inspired confidence and responsibility in me to the extent I didn't even feel the need to try alcohol or any other mind-altering substances. I also knew my parents and my Lord would be so disappointed in me if I did stupid things, and I didn't want to disappoint. That's the Type-A people pleaser, I guess. When I see the examples that are set for so many children these days, parents high and not working, cursing every other word, it is no wonder that we have a generation who is looking for something to fill that void - and they don't even know what it is they are looking for! I believe the church is failing - we personally as Christians are failing - as we are not reaching out to show the unloved that they can be loved - we WILL love them - Christ WILL love them. These things are easier said than done, I know, but NOW is the time that we, the church, rise up and show God's love. Check this article out - let me know what you think.... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/johann-hari/the-real-cause-of-addicti_b_6506936.html
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AuthorMy name is Teresa Evans. I am a wife to Tom, a retired Circuit Judge, and I am a court reporter by trade, a mother by God's grace and a lover of Jesus Christ. I've grown up in a family blessed with many miracles, and have received multiple miracles myself. ArchivesCategories |